title: Alcohol and sexual risk reduction interventions among people living in Russia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Russia has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption and is experiencing one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. Given these co-occurring health problems, we systematically reviewed combined alcohol and sexual risk interventions to reduce HIV among Russians. We completed comprehensive electronic searches to locate studies that (a) sampled people living in Russia, (b) used a behavioral intervention, and (c) assessed both alcohol and sexual risk behavior. These searches yielded 584 studies, of these, two were included. Compared with controls, intervention participants reported increasing their condom use (ds ranged from 0.12 to 0.85). Within-group improvements in sexual behaviors were found for both groups (ds ranged from 0.19 to 1.94); participants reported fewer sexual partners, more condom use, and reduced alcohol or drug use before sex. These findings support the need and potential benefits for alcohol and HIV interventions among Russians, and suggest directions for public policy.
authors.affiliation: Program in Public Health, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Chiao-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Lori A J
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Scott-Sheldon
authors.forename: Kate B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Blair T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D044465:White People